From root to shelf: What premium retailers expect from CEA growers
Source: HD.com
According to Henk Stander, Chief Technical Manager: Aquaculture in the Department of Animal Sciences at Stellenbosch University and the Stellenbosch University Water Institute, supplying premium retailers requires growers to understand the entire value chain, from seed and production through post-harvest handling, logistics, compliance, and traceability. © Stellenbosch University Production technology is only the starting point When talking to the industry at NAMPO Cape 2026, and especially start-up grower operations, he stresses that hydroponics or greenhouse production should not itself be viewed as a market proposition.
The value chain extends beyond the greenhouse He identifies the commercial chain as extending from seed quality and seedling production through water and nutrient management, harvesting, chilling, packaging, transportation and distribution. © Tinneke Hattingh | HortiDaily.com Mr Henk Stander during his talk at NAMPO Cape 2026 Packaging, labelling and logistics become technical requirements Retail supply can involve detailed specifications for cartons, pallets, reusable crates, labels and barcodes.
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Why this matters: For operators, this is a water-management story. The useful signal is that direct substrate measurements can help cut drain loss materially without giving up yield or fruit quality, which is exactly the kind of controllable efficiency gain a facility can build on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does substrate sensing matter in free-drain strawberry systems?
Because drain percentage tells a grower what already happened, while substrate moisture and EC data show root-zone conditions directly. That makes it easier to cut water loss without guessing.
What is the operator takeaway from this trial?
If the thresholds are understood well enough, growers can reduce drain water materially while protecting yield and fruit quality, which makes sensing an operational tool instead of a reporting tool.
